The island of Malta is beautiful.
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Long a crossroads of Mediterranean trade and culture, the island of Malta has been shaped by countless civilizations. It was the Knights of St. John who built Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This baroque wonder is one of Europe’s first cities planned and constructed from scratch. The humble facades of its churches and palaces hide extravagant interiors of marble, tapestries and paintings. A walk around the intact walls and bastions gives a bird’s-eye view of the cityscape and the spectacular Grand Harbor.
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Three islands comprise Malta. Subtropical Mediterranean climate. It is in between the Christian World and the Muslim World. Phoenicians (used as a trading base), Cathaginians (2.5 centuries), Rome (with Punic Wars took control), Italy, Normans (Normandy) (Vikings had occupied Normandy and came to Mediterranean), Arabs (Barbary Coast pirates captured Christian slaves), Germans, Spanish, French (Napolean there six days and made a lot of changes) and British all controlled Malta at one time. Walls and bastions built for defense. Fortifications have never been tested. Called "Land of Honey". Maltese language comes from Arabic. Order of St. John Knights in Malta. Sovereign Military Order of Malta with health operations around Europe. They started the hospital. St. John's Co-Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in Europe. Street plans very straight. Steps’ risers planned to allow knights in armor to climb easily. During WWII, Malta experienced over 3000 bombing raids and much of the city was destroyed. Extensive rebuilding and restoration was required. City is rebounding and investment in restoring properties.
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Hop on, Hop off. Got on the bus at 8:30 and left at 9:00. We began with the Yellow Route through the center of the island. This is a special tour they offer to Cruise Passengers. Then we stayed on that bus which was doing the Red Route or southern tour of the island. Wish we had gotten off at the Fishing Village and/or the Blue Grotto. When we returned, we went on the Blue Tour or northern tour of the island. We got off and toured Mdena. The former capital is one of the world’s best examples of a medieval walled city. Locals call it the “Silent City”, as cars are not allowed. A walking tour allowed us to admire the views of the countryside from the centuries-old bastions. We saw many beautiful buildings and picturesque alleys. Two hundred forty people live in Mdena.
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On the 25th, we took the Lift to the Barrakka Gardens and enjoyed the views and flowers, again. We walked around looking at the architecture. At 9:30, we toured St. John’s Co-Cathedral which is quite stark on the outside and incredibly oppulent on the inside.
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When we returned, we ate dinner on the ship. We took the lift from our port level to the Valletta city level to Barrakka Gardens with views of the Three Cities and Fort Ricasoli. Valletta was founded in the 16th century. We walked the cobblestone streets past St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Magisterial Palace of the Grandmaster and passed the Auberge de Castile, the Prime Minister’s residence. We say many quaint cafes, some on the many steps in the rolling downtown area. It was very quiet. The only people we saw were those at cafes or a few other photographers. We walked for two hours and some of my favorite pictures were of the churches.
On the 25th, we took the Lift to the Barrakka Gardens and enjoyed the views and flowers, again. We walked around looking at the architecture. At 9:30, we toured St. John’s Co-Cathedral which is quite stark on the outside and incredibly oppulent on the inside.
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When we returned, we ate dinner on the ship. We took the lift from our port level to the Valletta city level to Barrakka Gardens with views of the Three Cities and Fort Ricasoli. Valletta was founded in the 16th century. We walked the cobblestone streets past St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Magisterial Palace of the Grandmaster and passed the Auberge de Castile, the Prime Minister’s residence. We say many quaint cafes, some on the many steps in the rolling downtown area. It was very quiet. The only people we saw were those at cafes or a few other photographers. We walked for two hours and some of my favorite pictures were of the churches
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